Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders voiced accusations on Monday, asserting a connection between BJP minister Girish Mahajan and Salim Kutta, a close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. The Opposition leaders raised this matter during discussions in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, urging government intervention against the minister and advocating for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into the alleged ties.
This development unfolded in the wake of recent claims by BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, who contended that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sudhakar Badgujar had affiliations with Salim Kutta. Rane went a step further, releasing a video purportedly depicting Badgujar and Salim Kutta at a social gathering.
In response to these allegations, the state government initiated an SIT to scrutinize the issue, and Nashik Police Commissioner Sandip Karnik conducted an inquiry into Sudhakar Badgujar. Badgujar, a leader within Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, vehemently refuted any connections with Salim Kutta, dismissing the video as a fabrication.
Both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) factions raised concerns, contending that the inquiry was politically motivated. In an attempt to bolster their claims, they released a photograph featuring BJP minister Girish Mahajan alongside Salim Kutta, prompting calls for a thorough government investigation into their alleged links.
During proceedings in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, chairperson Neelam Gorhe ordered the removal of the minister's name from the record and rejected the opposition's plea for a detailed discussion on the matter. This decision sparked protests from Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) members.
Following the uproar, Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadanvis addressed the house, offering clarification. He revealed that Girish Mahajan had attended the wedding of a relative of Nashik's Shaher-e-Khatib in 2017. Fadanvis disclosed that an inquiry committee, led by the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, was formed when the incident surfaced, and it found no substantiated link between Girish Mahajan and Salim Kutta.
Fadanvis suggested that Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders were adopting an aggressive stance merely to impress Uddhav Thackeray, questioning why similar efforts were not exerted when Salim (Kutta) was associated with (Sudhakar) Badgujar.
Salim Kutta's background was highlighted, indicating his involvement in aiding Mohammad Dossa, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai blasts. Salim played a role in unloading weapons and explosives, assisting Tiger Memon in their distribution to other accused individuals. The trial court eventually convicted Salim Kutta for his participation in the 1993 blasts.
